When people look back and see that Gilroy lost 46-35 in the
Central Coast Section Open Division Championship years from now,
unless they were at San Jose City College on Friday, they won’t
realize just how close a game it was.
When people look back and see that Gilroy lost 46-35 in the Central Coast Section Open Division Championship years from now, unless they were at San Jose City College on Friday, they won’t realize just how close a game it was.
Two plays helped transform what was a one-possession contest with three minutes and 18 seconds left, into a 46-35 victory for the Oak Grove Eagles.
After forcing a punt to take over at its own 21-yard line, the Gilroy Mustangs had the ball and time to get down the field while trailing 33-27.
The crowd was loud and there was a sense on the Gilroy sideline that the team could overcome a terribly slow start to the second half. The defense had held strong despite two quick scores to start the third period, and the Mustangs’ record-setting offense was about to get on the move.
But it was not to be.
The Mustangs didn’t drive down the field for a game-winning touchdown. Rather, the team’s first play of the drive resulted in an Oak Grove interception returned for a touchdown, which was followed by another interception on the Mustangs’ next offensive play after the kickoff. Two plays later the Eagles had scored its final points to capture the CCS crown.
It took all of 36 seconds for the scoreboard to read 46-27 instead of 33-27, with a late touchdown by Gilroy coming too late to affect the outcome.
It was painful night for a football team and community.
